of Mr. Van der Roet's
Japanese salads made of periwinkles and wallflowers."

"And we must first catch our millionaire," said the Colonel.

During these remarks Mrs. Fothergill had been standing "with parted lips
and straining eyes," the eyes of one who is seeking to "cut in." Now
came her chance. "What a delightful idea dear Mrs. Sinclair's is. We
have been dreadfully extravagant this year over buying pictures, and
have doubled our charitable subscriptions, but I believe I can still
promise to act in a humble way the part of Mrs. Sinclair's millionaire.
We have just finished doing up the 'Laurestinas,' a little place we
bought last year, and it is quite at your service, Marchesa, as soon as
you liketo occupy it."

This unlooked-for proposition almost took away the Marchesa's breath.
"Ah, Mrs. Fothergill," she said, "it was Mrs. Sinclair's plan, not mine.
She kindly wishes to turn me into a cook for I know not how long, just
at the hottest season of the year, a fate I should hardly have chosen
for myself."

"My dear, it would be a new sensation, and one you would enjoy beyond
everything. I am sure it is a scheme every one here will hail with
acclamation," said Mrs. Sinclair. All other conversation had now ceased,
and the eyes of the rest of the company were fixed on the speaker.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she went on, "you have heard my suggestion, and
you have heard Mrs. Fothergill's most kind and opportune offer of her
country house as the seat of our school of cookery. Such an opportunity
is one in ten thousand. Surely all of us---even the Marchesa--must see
that it is one not to be neglected."

"I approve thoroughly," said Mrs. Gradinger; "the acquisition of
knowledge, even in so material a field as that of cookery, is always a
clear gain."

"It will give Gradinger a chance to put in a couple of days at Ascot,"
whispered Van der Roet.

"Where Mrs. Gradinger leads, all must follow," said Miss Macdonnell.
"Take the sense of the meeting, Mrs. Sinclair, before the Marchesa has
time to enter a protest."

"And is the proposed instructress to have no voice in the matter?" said
the Marchesa, laughing.

"None at all, except to consent," said Mrs. Sinclair; "you are going to
be absolute mistress over us for the next fortnight, so you surely might
obey just this once."

"You have been denouncing one of our cherished institutions, Marchesa,"
said Lady Considine, "so I consider you are bound to help us to replace
the B